keep on making my heart sing

Occasionally I hear or see such wonderful things, that it makes my heart sing!  Keep on spreading that kindness and keep on making my heart sing!

I'm here for you

Friendship is not about who you have known the longest, but rather who walked into your life, said "I'm here for you" and then proved it.

She didn't have to share

There's a lady I work with who will frequently bring in a couple of plates of homemade cookies.  Sometimes she makes brownies instead.  They are so delicious!  Everyone enjoys them.  There must be eighty to a hundred cookies.  That has to be time consuming, baking them all.  She didn't have to share.  Nobody has to.  What a great thing it is though!  Her kindness is appreciated by so many!

sharing chocolate

Sharing chocolate is pretty darn kind, don't you think? Actually sharing anything is kind. Right now, I could go for some of that chocolate though - maybe a nice cup of hot chocolate - the kind I used to drink at Christopher Elbow's shop! Yum! I'll share. I promise.

Who was on the phone

Texting seems to be the preferred form of communication these days, but I will always prefer the sound of a human voice.  For me there is something special about a telephone call.  It isn't just a kind gesture.  It also says "I care" and "I'm here for you."

Who's ugly?

The world might judge people by the color of their hair, the way they dress, or even how cute their smile is, but the important beauty is found inside.  Some of the most incredibly beautiful people in the world, are folks that others may call ugly.  I like to look beyond that first image and see how someone lives their life - are they nice?  are they kind?  do they care about others?  THAT is where the true beauty is!

Awareness of those around you

Do you think you're a kind person?  What is your level of awareness concerning those around you?  Do you see the smiles or the frowns?  When someone has tears in their eyes, do you know why?  Could it be that you are so incredibly mean that crying is their natural reaction, or are they shedding tears of joy because they think you are wonderful.  Which would you prefer?  Let's all try to be sensitive of those we come in contact with and perhaps we will become more kind.

beautiful Tuesday morning

Is it a beautiful Tuesday where you are?  It can be!  Always remember that beauty isn't the same for everyone.  Some of us miss it because we spend so much time looking for something specific.  There are so many beautiful things that we simply miss, but is we see with our hearts and our minds, as well as our eyes, we'll find beauty everywhere.

I can always use help

While I may talk about kindness all the time, I know I make my share of mistakes.  I desire to be nice and pleasant and show kindness to everyone, but if I fall short, please forgive me.  I can always use help.  I think the more kindness I am surrounded with, the easier it will be for me.

Watch it grow

How many people do you encounter in the space of one day?  If you show kindness toward each and every one of them, and they in turn show kindness towards each other, that's a lot of kindness!  People who might never have been kind in the past, suddenly are showing kindness too, as the entire world grows more kind.  Watch it grow!  Be a part of it!

Change?

Thinking about changing your personality or your hair color or how you occupy your time?  Why?  Are you making a change for YOU?  If you are doing it for others, think about that hard and long before doing it.  Seriously.  Don't change so that people will like you. Be yourself and the right people will love for who you really are.  Sometimes the only change that is necessary, is someone's point of view.

time

No one is too busy. 

It's not about finding time. 

It's about making time. 

If it really matters, you will make time.

Be kind.

Pay Attention

Every morning is a gift, filled with adventures and challenges that beckon to bring us new insight and guide us onto a new aligned path, only if we sit still and listen.  Pay attention my friends.  Listen.  Learn.  Enjoy the adventures.  Rise to the challenges.  Have a great Thursday!

you made someone’s day just a little bit better

If you can lie down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone’s day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.

Separating by color

When I was little, I remember seeing "whites only" signs and public water fountains were all labeled "colored" or "white."  I didn't understand it.  My mom said the only thing that should be separated by color is laundry.  I still see people not wanting to interact with people of different races or ethnicities and I still don't understand it.  The same with sexual orientation - why be separate?  The more we experience each other, the more we experience life!

Tell me a story

Tell me a story about someone who has shown you kindness.  How did it make you feel?  What makes you remember that kindness?  I'd really love to know!

friendly gestures

Did she just smile at me?  Oh my!  That makes me feel good!  Oh and the folks who wave at you or nod their heads - I have been noticed.  I matter.  Someone cares.  It's a good feeling.  It really is.  There doesn't need to be any special occasion.  Greeting each other, often silently, is basic kindness, and it's so easy to do.

Love is

Love isn't what you say

Love is what you do

uniquely powerful and impactful

Acts of kindness are uniquely powerful and impactful.  Please believe me.

Prayers on 9/11

"Tonight, I ask for your prayers for all those who grieve, for the children whose worlds have been shattered, for all whose sense of safety and security has been threatened. And I pray they will be comforted by a power greater than any of us."   -President George W. Bush September 11, 2001

The inspiring Michael Jordan

Ask Michael Jordan why he succeeds. His response is truly inspiring! "I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."

Endless ways of being kind

Volunteer at an organization that needs help.  Go through your closets and find several nice items and then donate them to a shelter. Buy books for a day care or school. Give toys to the children at a shelter. Volunteer to fix up an elderly person's home. Buy a pack of brightly colored stickers and give them to children you meet during the day. Let the person behind you in the grocery store go ahead of you in line. There are endless ways of being kind!

Kindness Rinse Repeat

Did you ever notice the directions on a shampoo bottle?  Most likely you only read it once.  Shampooing your hair becomes habit.  Lather, rinse, repeat.  Pretty easy, huh?  It's like that with kindness too.  If we practice kindness often enough it becomes habit. 

Another fortune

Do you read the fortunes you receive in fortune cookies?  I frequently get ones that have to do with kindness.  At lunch yesterday:  "Make someone smile today and feel your heart smile too."

One Fine Morning!

I woke up listening to the Lighthouse hit One Fine Morning (old song, but always good), and now I just know that it indeed is going to be one fine morning and one fine day!

Ideas for showing kindness

There are so many ways to show kindness toward others. Here are a few. Offer to return a shopping cart to the store for someone loading a car. Call an estranged family member. Clean graffiti from neighborhood walls and buildings. Buy a stranger a free pizza. Mow a neighbor’s grass or sweep a neighbor’s walk. Smile and acknowledge everyone you encounter. Give a bag of groceries to a homeless person. Treat someone to fresh fruit. Sing at a nursing home. Open the door for another person.

Too much time on social media?

"The one who loves a good rumor hates a peaceful life."  This was on my fortune cookie last night.  Was it telling me that I need to spend less time on social media?

Just be kind

Your random act of kindness can add happiness to someone's life. It is one of the greatest gifts you can give to someone.  It doesn't have to be for any special reason.  Just be kind!

Be kind to yourself

Many people feel that self-care is something that only happens if and when we have time. Oh no! We should all be kind to ourselves too and to treat ourselves with the respect we deserve by making our well-being a priority. Be kind to others for sure, but be kind to ourselves too!

nice and kind

Is being nice the same as being kind?  Well, no.  They certainly are closely connected though.  Niceness is being polite.  Kindness goes beyond that.  Kindness is an action.  Holding the door open for someone or giving flowers to a person or offering to pick up something at the store for a neighbor, are acts of kindness.